Orginal Post: bamboo: I thought since we are doing styles it may be helpful for us to compile a glossary for each of our arts. The following is a basic but comprehensive guide to terms used in aikikai aikido. I will add to it as needed. Please feel free to add, I will edit and add them to the original list to keep this as one page.

Stances

Ai Hanmi
Mutual stance where uke and nage each have the same foot forward (right-right, left-left). Chudan No Kamae
A stance with one’s hands/sword in a central position with respect to one’s body. Gedan No Kamae
A stance with one’s hands or a weapon held in a lower position. Gyaku Hanmi
Opposing stance (if uke has the right foot forward, nage has the left foot forward, if uke has the left foot forward, nage has the right foot forward). Hanmi
Triangular stance. Most often, aikido techniques are practiced with uke and nage in pre-determined stances. This is to facilitate learning the techniques and certain principles of positioning with respect to an attack. At higher levels, specific hanmi cease to be of much importance. Hanmi Handachi
Position with nage sitting and uke standing. Training in hanmi handachi is a good way of practicing techniques as though with a significantly larger/taller opponent. This type of training also emphasizes movement from one’s center of mass (hara). Hidari Hanmi
Triangular stance with the left foot forward. Hidari Tsuki No Kamae
A stance with the left hand/weapon extended. Jodan No Kamae
A stance with the hands or a weapon held in a high position. Kamae
A posture or stance either with or without a weapon. Kamae may also connote proper distance (maai) with respect to one’s partner.

Footwork

Irimi
Literally “Entering the Body”. Entering movement. The concept of irimi is to place oneself in relation to an attacker in such a way that the attacker is unable to continue to attack effectively, and in such a way that one is able to control effectively the attacker’s balance.. Irimi Issoku
Entering with a single step. Irimi Tenkan
Enter and turn.Tai No Henkou
“Change the body to blend. Tai No Tenkan
Basic tenkan blending practice involving turning 180 degrees. Tenkan
Turning movement, especially turning the body 180 degrees. Tenshin
A movement where nage retreats 45 degrees away from the attack, especially to uke’s open side.